Wolf attacks on U.P. farms a growing concern

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceGray wolves have killed 67 animals on farms in the Upper Peninsula this year compared to 16 in 2009.

MARQUETTE -- Michigan's gray wolves have attacked Upper Peninsula farms more times this year than the past three combined, killing a record number of livestock as state officials continue to push to remove federal protections for the endangered animal.

Farmers are reimbursed by the state for livestock killed in confirmed attacks, but the process can be frustrating because federal law leaves landowners and wildlife officials hamstrung in dealing with repeated attacks from rogue wolf packs, officials say.

Two dogs, 57 cattle, seven sheep and a guinea hen have fallen victim to wolves this year.

State officials say it is a small percentage of Michigan's 557 gray wolves that prey on domestic animals from farms across the Upper Peninsula.

Last year, 16 animals were killed, said Brian Roell, a Department of Natural Resources and Environment biologist. There have been no confirmed kills in the Lower Peninsula.

"This year is the worst on record in recent times," Roell said. "We have done some correlation and analysis, and for every increase in 100 wolves, that will equate to about another three depredations."

"This is a relatively small number of wolves that are causing problems, six to 10 packs on any given year. But without the ability to control these animals, you can see what can happen."

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A state indemnification program requires DNRE officials to confirm whether an animal was killed by a bear, coyote, wolf or cougar and forward their findings to the state Department of Agriculture. The DOA then pays farmers for the on-the-ground value of livestock killed by coyote, wolves and cougars. It doesn't reimburse for hunting dogs or pets.

Roell said wolves often target the same farm several times a year, and the most effective way to stop attacks is to kill the dominant member of pack.

Wolves, however, are protected under the Endangered Species Act and are illegal to kill except in defense of human life.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are considering for a third time removing the animals from the endangered species list after a previous decision to do so was overturned in court because the USFWS did not solicit public input in the process.

Federal authorities started the year-long review process again this summer, and the DNRE could have special depredation authority by year's end, DNRE wildlife chief Russ Mason said.

"There is no question about it, wolves in the northern Lower (Peninsula) will get into more trouble because the opportunity is more available than in the U.P.," Mason said. "I'm pretty confident we'll get our authority back."

The state has paid out $54,241.15 to farmers in the U.P. for livestock lost to wolf attacks since the indemnification program began in 1996, and other agencies and individuals have donated another $10,050 over the years, Roell said.

MDA assistant Kevin Kirk works with farmers to determine the value of livestock killed based on DNRE reports, a farmer's records and the current market price of the animal.

An adult goat or small calves, for example, often are reimbursed at $200 to $400, and a full-sized cow can be worth about $1,200, Kirk said.

"The price of an individual animal is based on market activity, so it is a revolving target that is moving up and down," he said. "There is a cap of $4,000 per animal."

The money, however, is little comfort for farmers dealing with repeated attacks from more brazen wolves, Kirk said.

"I've had farmers tell me they are afraid to walk in the barn in the morning. The farmers tell me the wolves are not afraid of them anymore. They'll come up to their buildings and their house," he said. "They are overly frustrated and they are discouraged because neither the MDA or the DNR have any control."